Flagpole and flag manipulating means



May 29, 1945. R. ELLlS FLA GPOLE AND FLAG MANIPULATING MEANS Filed May 8, 1943 2 Shets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR FIG.3.

FIG. 3.

May 29, 1945. R ELLlS 2,377,2l9

FLAGPOLE AND FLAG MANIPULATING MEANS Filed May 8, 1943 2 Sheets-Shet 2 INVENTOR I F l G. 7.

Patented May 29, 1945 UNITED i STATES PATENT OFFICE &377319 FLAGPOLE AND FLAG MANIPULATING MEANS 8 Claims.

This invention relates to flag poles and flag manipulating means and one of the principalobjects of the invention is to provide means for storing the flag conveniently within a hollow flag-pole when the flag is not in use.

Another object of the invention is the provision of means for permitting the raising and lowering of the flag, from the hollow interier of the flagpole, from a distance and without even watching the flag and without personal manipulation or touching of the flag.

Afurther object of the invention is to provide a design of flag-pole in which the rope and flag cannot become tangled or wound around the pole regardless of the vagaries of the direction of the wind A still further object of the inventionis the unique construction which permits the rope or ropes used to manipulate the flag to be practically invisible. i

'A still further object of my invention is the provision of means Whereby it is notnecessary to remove and attach the flag from and to the rope each time the flag is to be lowered and raised respectively as is now customary.

A still further object of the invention is the unique arrangement whereby only one rope need be used for either raising or lowering the flag.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of means whereby it is impossible for unauthorized persons to manipulate the flag or for vandals to be able to have access to the rope or flag.

A still further object of, the invention is the provision of means for raising or lowering the flag by electrical means, that is by the mere closing or opening of a switch, and automatic means for regulating the extent of such raising or lowerng;

A still further object of the invention is the provision of means for causing the'flag to flutter as if the wind is blowing, even though there be no wind, and should there be only a light wind, to provide additional air flow which will automatically be applied toward the flag in the same direction as the wind.

A still further object of my invention is the provision of deflectors attached to the flag in such a manner that the flag will fly horizontally even in a light Wind, instead of drooping and listlessly' flapping.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a telescopic flag-pole in which the flag is automatically inserted into the hollow interior of the flag-pole as the telescoping parts of the pole are closed and again automatically expelled from the interior of the hollow pole as the parts of the pole are extended.

Other and further objects will appear in the specification and be specifically pointed out in the appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings exemplifying the invention and in which:

Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4 are longitudi'nal sectional views of various designs all relating to the same specific improvement. i

Figs. 5 and 6 are longitudinal sectional views illustrating a telescoping flag-pole.

Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional View on the line T--l of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view on the line 8- 8 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view of a part of Fig. 4 illustrating a detail. i

Fig. 10 is a diagrammatic scheme showing the operation of my flag-pole apparatus by means of electric push button control.

Referring to the drawings in which similar characters and numerals'of reference refer to similar parts throughout the several views, the numeral ll denotes the usual flag-pole, at least the upper part of which is made hollow, such as when contructed from a length of metal pipe.

To the upper end of this pipe ll is Secured, as

by means of the coupling !2, the flange !3. This flange !3 may be formed integral with the upper end of the pipe I l if preferred'. This flange [3 is of circular cross section on its outer circumference as illustrated so as to offer very little frictional resistance to the pulling of the ropes [4 and l5 and the flag [6 thereover. The rope [4 is attached in any approved manner to the bottom end of the flag IS while the rope i5 is attached to the upper end of the flag as shown, the main part of the rope [5 being located on the inside of the hollow flag-pole ll and being capable of manipulation from a distance from the flag-pole through Conduit as from the room l'l, see Fig.

1, the position of the knob |8 attached to rope 15 denoting to the operator the relative elevation of the flag IE on the pole ll. The rope l4, see Figs. 1, 2 and 4, has a weight IS attached to its lower and a sufficient distance from the flag so as not to permit the lower free end of the flag to touch same, this weight l 9 being provided with a band 20 bolted thereto, see Fig. 8, which encircles the flag-pole l l and thus not only holds the edge of the flag taut and close to the pole but incidentally follows the flag around the pole circumferentially according to the varying direction of the wind and thereby prevents tangling and wrapping of the rope around the po1e, it being also noticed that, as a varying directional wind may blow the flag, that part of the rope !5 which hangs over the top of flange !3, will follow in the same direction as the flag. The lower end of rope !4 is attached to the circumferential weight IS at the hook 22, this hook being located at the center of gravity of the weight, including strap 20, so that the weight will always remain horizontal and not bind against the pole When the flag is manipulated.

In all the views Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive, the flag i 6 is shown in the up or flying position. All that is necessary in order to take in the flag is to pull on rope !5 a short distance, a trifle more than the diagonal of the flag, and the flag will be easily drawn over the flange !3 and into the hollow interior of the flag-pole l I as indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 1. To fly or unfurl the flag again, the rope !5 is released from its binding post 23 and the weight l9 will then cause sufficient gravitatonal pull to draw out the flag as illustrated. A soft rubber push-out 24 may be attached to rope !5 as illustrated in Fig. l so as to more effectively push out the flag 56 from the interior of the flag-pole. As an additional variation to which my invention is susceptible, the weight E@ may be supplanted by a'weight 25 located in the interior of hollow pole H and attached intermediate rope i5 and !EA as illustrated in Fig. 3. With this arrangement the rope- M must be pulled instead of rope !5 in order to manipulate the flagthe rope Hi. being also drawn through the hollow pole !i and attaching it to cleat 23 at the lower end of the flag-pole for convenient manipulation. It will also be apparent that in case the rope I 5A is used the weight 25 will `be unnecessary and in case the weight 25 is used, the rope i'A becomes unnecessary for the manipulation of the flag although both rope I5A and weight 25 may be used together as illustrated. The dotted lines show weight 25 in the position it would occupy when the flag !6 is furled within the upper part of the hollow flag pole H. A locked door 29 at the bottom of the flag-pole secures the ropes against vandals. The uppe'r length H of the flag-pole shown in this View, Fig 3, rests on ball bearings 95 which in turn are supported by the inwardly projecting annula'' shoulder 97 of the lower length 'l ID of the flag-pole, thus permitting the upper length of the flag-pole to revolve and the flag l' and rope !4 to follow the wind and prevent wrapping 'around the pole H in case the direction of the wind changes.

In Fig. 4 is illustrated means for electrical manipulation of the flag, it being merely necessary to press push buttons Si to raise the flag and 32 to lower the flag, see Fig. 10, the operation being as foll'ows; electric service being had by wires 3-3 and '34, through switch 35, wires 36 and 31 to electric motor 38 and wires 39 and 4'8 to reversing switch ll which is self explanatory. Wires 42 and &3 lead to a small transformer 92 which urnishes energy for operation of solenoids M and 45 as will be readily understood from the diagram. The flag is now represented as being in down or retractcd position within the flagpole, the knob 45 which is attached to rope |5A, having pushed switch lever 4! from position represented by dotted line 47 into illustrated neutral position, after hauling flag Hi` into hollow flagpole H a suflicient distance. This action necessari ly stopped motor 38 to the shaft of which is attached worm 48 drivin worm gear 49 which turns reel 50. The rope is here shown traveling over pulleys 5| and 52. In order to again raise the flag, that is, to drag it out of its resting place within hollow flag-pole H, push button 3! is pressed which energizes solenoid 45 and pulls plunger 53 within it so that switch lever AH assumes position of dotted line 55 thus closing the necessary electrical Contacts for turning motor 33 in the opposite direction as previously so as to unwind rope !SA from reel EU and permit weight !9 to pull flag out in same manner as previously mentioned. As soon as knob 5:3, which is also attached to rope LEA, strikes loop 55 of the switch arm M, only the rope being able to pass through the loop, the switch arm ii is again pushed to neutral position and motor 38 stops, while the flag !5 has assumed its correct posi tion flying outside the flag-pole. The rope i& may or may not be used as desired, in which latter case the end of rope !5A is attached to the reel. Pressing button 32 will lower the flag into the hollow interior of the flag-pole as will now be readily understood. Switch-arm 41 is provided with an elongated hole 57 into which pin 58, which is attached to center of plunger 53, flts and causes switch-arm to swing in either direction from neutral position according to which particular solenoid, 44 or 45, is energized by the push buttons 32 or 3! respectively.

Switch 59 causes the fan-blower GU to operate through wires ti and 62 which lead to the electric motor (not shown), attached to shaft 63 of the fan-blower, the air flow therefrom passing through holes 64 into the hollow interior of the flag-pole Il and up and through the holes 65 in the bottom of the hollow plunger &E to the bottom of which rope lA is attached while rope 65 isattached to the top of plunger 65 near that edge thereof where the Vertical row of holes si exist (see Figs. 4 and 9), it being evident that the air flow from the fan-blower 50 cannot escape from the interior of the flag-pole except through the holes 65 and then 61 owing to the snug sliding fit between plunger 66 and interior of flag-pole H. However, coinciding with the holes Bl in the plunger are also holes 68 in the upper circumference of the flag-pole I i so that no matter in which direction the wind blows, the flag will turn that side of the plunger having the row of holes 67 away 'from the wind so that, even though the wind be light, the eccentric attachment of the rope l5 to the upper end of the plunger 66 will accomplish the above result. The extra pressure from the fan-blower will cause the flag to fly straight outwards horizontally and have a much better appearance, The arrows 69 indicate the course of the air flow and the additional quarter-sectocloth deflectors 70, preferably sewed to each side of the flag at the point 'll and 'also at the quarter circular edge by the stitches 12, will defi'ect a suflicient portion of the air stream or natural wind clownward so that the re-action will keep the flag !6 fluttering in a rectangular form. A rain stop '13 may be attached to rope l l if desired, this rain stop fltting over the opening in flange !3 asvshown by the dotted lines in Fig. 4 when the flag is hauled into the interior 'of pole Il. The lug 'M is attached to interior of plunger '65 and lim-its the movement inwardly of pawl '13 which is swingable on the pin 98 and gravitationally unbalanced out wardly 'so that it will catch the lowermost hole 68 in the flag-pole on the upward pull of the movement the'erof, this maximum upward position being the correct one for the flag'to fly properly and the holes in the plunger and flag-pole to'registen When the plunger 66 is lowered, the pawl 'I3 will simply be forced inwardly against lug 14, thus permitting the free descent ofthe plunger and the flag to be hauled into the hcllow interier of flag-pole H.

The foregoing description referred generally to the larger type of sttaionary flag-poles but my invention is also susceptible of use to'the smaller type such as carried by hand in parades; temporary locations, etc., so the following will describe such type and particularly the telescoping kind as illustrated in Figs. 5, 6 and '7. I here show a flag-pole in three .sections capable of telescoping but itwillbe understood that any practical number of sections may be used in a similar manner. These telescoping sections have close sliding flts as shown in Fig. 7 but for purposes of better illustration, I show them sufliciently separated in Figs. and 6 to, more clearly show the Operating ropes. These sections are' I IA, IIB and I IC respectively and each section is provided with a longitudinal groove A, 15B and 150 so as to prevent relative rotatable, movement and in cidentally provide space for the Operating ropes (see Fig. ,7) In Fig 5 the pole is extended and theflag is automatically expelled from the interior of the inner pole HA and unfurled while in Fig. 6, thepoles are telescoped and the flag has` been automatically drawn into the interier of the pole l IA by this action.

To the lower end of flag 16 is attached rope 80, the other end of this rope being attached to the upper end of polellB a shown at 8813. To the upper end of flag s is attached rope 8! which passes over rounded edge of flange [3 to the interior of pole HA, through hole 82 at the lower end of pole HA and then attached to the upper end of pole l IB at s B. Therefore, it will be seen that when pole HA is telescoped into pole l IB, the hole 82 will assume a position near the lower end of pole HB, causing rope 8l and ;ghost of rope 80 to occupy their full length within pole I IA and the space between pole I IA and pole HB as shown in Fg. 6, the flag IS being thereby automatically hauled into the interier of pole IIA.

In fact, all three poles, HA, IIB and ll C are caused to operate simultaneously, the mere act of pulling upwardly on the ring 83 in Fig. 5 causing all the poles to telescope and the flag to be simultaneously hauled in as in Fig. 6, while pulling down on ring 83 as shown in Fig. 6, will cause the poles to extend and the flag to be expelled and unfurl as iliustrated in Fig. 5. To accomplish this unique result, ring 83 is attached to one end of rope 84 while the other end of this rope is attached to lower end of pole IIB at 84B. Rope 85 has one end attached to the upper end of pole IIC at 85C while the other end of rope 85 passes through hole 86 at the 'lower end of pole IIB and is attached to the lower end of pole HA at 85A. One end of rope 81 is attached to the lower end of pole l IA at 85A, then passes through hole 88 in the lower end of pole HA,

over pulley 89 attached to the upper end of pole I iB and the other end being secured at the lower end of pole IIC at 81C. Rope 90 has one end attached to the lower end of pole IIB at &OB while the other end is fastened to ring 83 after passing through hole 9! in the lower end of pole IIC. As the ring 83 is pulled either upwards or downward, the interconnected ropes and poles, together with the flag, will simultaneously adjust themselves as previously described as will be apparent to experienced persons and it is thought that further description isunnecessary.

From the foregoing description it will be evident that I have evolved a flag-pole and associated flag which will eliminate considerable time not only in periodically tying and untying the flag from the ropes but also the labor involved in raising and lowering the flag, will provide a safe housing for the flag and the ropes from the weather and from vandals, will prevent ,uhauthorized persons from having access to the flag or ropes, may conveniently be operated from a distance, will cause the flag to fly in rectangular position in a light or no wind, will prevent wrapping of the flag and ropes around the flag-pole and will generally provide improved Operating v conditions that will induce the more frequent exhibiting of flags than heretofore.

various changes may be made in the embodiment of the invention hereinabove' speciflcally described without departing from or sacriflcing the advantages of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A flag pole and flag manipulating means i comprising a hollow flag pole capable of containing a flag when said flag is in furled condition, a manipulating rope passing through said' hollow flag pole from its attachment to the upper inner corner of the flag when in unfurled position to a manipulating station-near the lower end of the flag pole, a weight encircling the flag pole and capable of vertical travel thereover, a short rope attaching the said weight to the lower inner corner' of said flag? and a circular flange, rounded on its upper surface, on the upper end of the flag pole over which the said'ropes and flag are designed to be pulled from the inside of the said flag pole to the outside thereof and vice Versa Without appreciable frction or resistance to such movement.

2. A flag pole and flag manipulating means comprising a hollow flag pole capable of containing a flag when said flag is in furled condition, a manipulating rope passing through said hollow flag pole from its attachment to the upper inner corner of the flag, when said flag is in unfurled position, to a manipulating station near the lower end of the flag pole, said manipulating rope passing over and through a rounded circular flange at the upper end of said hollow flag pole, and a weight attached to the lower inner corner of the flag and tending to pull the flag out of the hollow flag pole through and over the said flange to an unfurled position outside of the flag pole.

3. A flag pole and flag manipulating means comprising a hollow flag pole capable of containing a flag when said flag is in furled condition, a "manipulating rope passing through said hollow flag pole from its attachment to the upper inner corner of the flag to a manipulating station near the lower end of said flag pole, said manipulating rope passing over a rounded flange at the upper end of the said hollow flag pole, and a weight attached to the lower inner corner of the said flag and tending to pull said flag downward, said weight being capable of vertical travel and having means for retaining it in close relational alinement with the said flag pole during such Vertical travel.

4. A flag pole and flag manipulating means comprising a hollow flag pole capable of containing a flag whensaid flag is in furled condition, a manipulating rope within said hollow flag pole, one end of said manipulating rope being attached to the upper inner corne' of said flag while thefiother end of said rope emerges from said hollow flag pole at a manipulating station near the lower end of said flag pole, a Weight attached to the lower inner corner 4 of said flag, a rounded flange at the top of said flag pole,

and means for hauling the said flag into the said hoilow flag pole over and through the said rounded flange by pulling on the said manipulating rope, and means for unfurling the said flag by loosening the said manipulating rope at the said manipulating station and permitting th( said weight to pun the said flag from within the said hollow flag pole through and over the said rounded flange to flying position.

5. A flag pole and flag manipuiating means comprising a hollow flag pole capable of coni taining a flag when in furled condition, a manipulating rope having one end attached to the upper inner corner of said flag .While the other end of said manipulating rope passes over and. through a rounded flange on the top of said flag pole and through the said hollow flag pole to a manipulating station near the bottom of said pole, a Weight attached to the lower inne' corner of the said flag by means of a short rope, means for causing the flag to be hauled into and out of the said hoilow flag pole over and through the said rounded flange, and a push v Weight encircling the said flag pole and attached to the lower inner corner of the said flag, the other end of said manipulating rope passing through the bottom of said flag pole to a distant Operating station. 'z

'7. A flag pole and flag manipulatng means comprising a hollow flag pole, a rounded flange on the top of said flag pole, a flag, a weight attached to the lower inner corner of said flag, a manipulating rope attached to the upper inner corner of the flag, said manipulating rope passing over and through the said rounded flange and through the hollow interior of said flag pole to a manipulating station, and means for preventing any part of said manipulating rope being visible or accessible to an unauthorized person.

8. A flag pole and flag manipulating means comprising a hollow flag pole, a rounded ciroula' flange on top of the flag pole, a flag, a flag manipulating rope having one end thereof attached to the upper inner corner of said flag and the other end of said rope passing over and through said flange and hollow flag pole to an Operating station at the lower end of said flag pole, a short rope attached by one endto the lower inner corner of said flag while the other end of said rope is attached to a Weight held in vertical alinement With the said flag pole, means for manipulating the said flag into and out of the interier of the said hollow flag pole over the rounded circular flange, and a "rain stop" in the shape of a circular disc attached to the aforementioned short rope above the said weight and so formed and proportioned as to cover the hole in the rounded circular flange on top of the said flag pole when the said flag is hauled into the hollow flog pole.

v ROBERT ELLISi 

